Who should not use eyebright ()?

Inflammation or irritation of the eyes could be signs of a potentially serious infection. Eyebright should not be used to treat an eye condition without consulting a physician. Eyebright should also not be used in the eyes if you wear any type of contact lenses or if you have had any recent eye surgery (laser vision correction, cataract surgery, cornea transplant surgery, etc.).

Before using eyebright, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Eyebright may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not use eyebright without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether eyebright will harm an unborn baby.

Do not use eyebright without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether eyebright will harm a nursing infant.

There is no information available regarding the use of eyebright by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I use eyebright ()?

The use of eyebright in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to use eyebright, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Since the efficacy of eyebright has not been proven in the treatment of eye disorders and application to the eyes may be unsanitary, the use of eyebright in the eyes is generally not recommended.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of eyebright with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., liquids, teas, and others) of eyebright at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of eyebright.

Store eyebright as directed on the package. In general, eyebright should be protected from light and moisture.